New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa, Canterbury Westland Branch

About the Law Society

The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa is the professional body for barristers and solicitors in New Zealand. The Law Society regulates all lawyers practising in New Zealand and is the membership organisation for practising lawyers. With 13 branch offices throughout the country, the Law Society is the Kaitiaki (guardian) of the practise of law in Aotearoa New Zealand and the consumers of legal services.

About the role

We are looking to appoint a lawyer member for a Lawyers Standards Committee from the Canterbury Westland area.  

Meetings are convened in person or through video link and applications are welcomed from practitioners practising in the Canterbury Westland regions. Lawyers Standards Committees consider and determine complaints about lawyers. Part 7 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 sets out the requirements for complaints and discipline, and sections 126 to 189 govern the functions, duties and powers of Standards Committees.

To be eligible for appointment as a lawyer member on a Standards Committee a person must have practised as a lawyer for a period or periods aggregating at least five years. Appointments are made by the Board of the New Zealand Law Society. Candidates must also be of good character and possess the skill, experience and judgement needed to deal with complaints and make appropriate decisions. 

Experience in dealing with unacceptable conduct in the workplace, either directly, or through the delivery of support or guidance, is likely to be an advantage.

 There is preparatory work involved and meetings are usually monthly. This is a voluntary role although expenses will be reimbursed.

The New Zealand Law Society is committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion and to recognising the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. We wish to ensure that Lawyers Standards Committees represent the society that the legal profession serves and encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds.

For further information about the role see the position description or contact Valerie McTurk, Professional Standards Officer by email at val.mcturk@lawsociety.org.nz
 
If you would like to apply please complete the expression of interest form and submit this together with your current CV to val.mcturk@lawsociety.org.nz stating “Lawyer Member Application” in the subject line.

Or send to:

Valerie McTurk
New Zealand Law Society
Canterbury Westland Branch

PO Box 565 /DX WX10074, Christchurch 8140

Applications must be received 5pm, Wednesday 5 April 2023.